Thailand to boycott Australian weapons

Thailand to boycott Australian weapons

BANGKOK (AFP): Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai yesterday threatened to boycott Australian-made weapons in retaliation for continuing allegations that some Thais support Khmer Rouge guerrillas in Cambodia.

"If they still think this way, we won't buy (the weapons)," he told reporters in Jakarta.

Chuan, who is attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, said that members of Canberra's parliament had voiced concern that weapons sold to Thailand could wind up in the hands of the Khmer Rouge.

"I have read this from the minutes of their parliament," he added. As a result, Chuan said, he had ordered his defense ministry to review any purchases of Australian weapons.

The premier's decision followed allegations last week by Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans that Bangkok had not done all it could to halt Thai businessmen and "freelance soldiers" from conducting business with the Khmer Rouge.